Acid Rain

What is it? Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment. Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment. Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide (NO). Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide (NO). When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs.

pH levels of acid rain Neutral water has a pH of 7.0 Neutral water has a pH of 7.0 Normal rain has a pH of 5.5 Normal rain has a pH of 5.5 While acid rain has a pH of less than 5.5 While acid rain has a pH of less than 5.5

What does it do? Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils. Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils. Acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage. Acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.

The effects

Natural vs. Manmade Only about half the sulfur dioxide occurring in the atmosphere is natural Only about half the sulfur dioxide occurring in the atmosphere is natural It comes from volcanoes, swamps, and other rotting organic material. It comes from volcanoes, swamps, and other rotting organic material. The rest is manmade The rest is manmade In industrial regions the amount of manmade sulfur dioxide in the air can be as high as 90% In industrial regions the amount of manmade sulfur dioxide in the air can be as high as 90%

Where is acid rain a problem? Acid rain is a problem in eastern Canada because many of the water and soil systems in this region lack natural alkalinity - such as a lime base - and therefore cannot neutralize acid naturally. Acid rain is a problem in eastern Canada because many of the water and soil systems in this region lack natural alkalinity - such as a lime base - and therefore cannot neutralize acid naturally. It is also a problem in the eastern parts of the U.S like New York and Connecticut because it is so industrialized. It is also a problem in the eastern parts of the U.S like New York and Connecticut because it is so industrialized.

How to reduce acid rain Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are the main pollutants that cause acid rain. These pollutants are given off largely by the combustion of fossil fuels. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are the main pollutants that cause acid rain. These pollutants are given off largely by the combustion of fossil fuels. Reducing the use of fossil fuels therefore, including the use of electricity generated by coal- and oil-fired power plants, will help reduce acid rain-causing emissions. The following are some more specific suggestions on what you, as an individual, can do: Reducing the use of fossil fuels therefore, including the use of electricity generated by coal- and oil-fired power plants, will help reduce acid rain-causing emissions. The following are some more specific suggestions on what you, as an individual, can do:

What you can do to help In the home In the home Avoid the use of air conditioners altogether. Avoid the use of air conditioners altogether. Turn out the lights in empty rooms and when away from home. Turn out the lights in empty rooms and when away from home. Turn down the heat at night and when away from home. Turn down the heat at night and when away from home. Don't use sink garbage disposal units. Don't use sink garbage disposal units. Transportation Transportation Walk, ride your bike or take a bus to work or school. Walk, ride your bike or take a bus to work or school. Share a ride with a friend or co-worker. Share a ride with a friend or co-worker. Reduce the number of trips you make in your car. Reduce the number of trips you make in your car. Drive at moderate speeds. Drive at moderate speeds. Take the train or bus on long trips. Take the train or bus on long trips. Go CFC-Free. Go CFC-Free.